CASE STUDY - The LIA Annual Lunch at Drapers Hall: Harry Ford

Each year, The LIA Annual Lunch celebrates achievements that contribute to the over-arching success of the lighting industry. Among the many highlights this year, recognising emerging design talent through our University Project Design Brief’s in partnership with Nottingham Trent University and Loughborough University, Harry Ford was awarded with the accolade of NextGen Winner 2025.

Developed to increase the visibility, importance, scale, and diversity of light to younger generations, design briefs challenge students to consider alternative solutions to common problems, such as reducing the impact on wildlife, and understanding sustainability in design.

Harry who recently graduated from Loughborough University with a degree in Product Design & Technology BSc, submitted an innovative solution that really highlighted key elements of sustainable design and natural inspiration, using bioluminescence to create a calm and atmospheric lighting experience.

The LIA Team recent sat down with Harry where he shared his experience of attending the event at Draper’s Hall, his reflections on networking with industry leaders, and how the opportunity reshaped his perspective on lighting design and his future career aspirations.

Could You Tell us a little about yourself?

I’m Harry Ford and I recently graduated from Loughborough University where I studied Product Design & Technology BSc.

The project I completed to address the week-long brief set by Holophane Europe and The LIA was a response to ‘design a product to light a space to reduce the impact on wildlife/animals’.

What was your Experience at The LIA Annual Lunch 2025?

Before attending I thought I would be out of place, but spending time with the other finalists was a great opportunity to hear about each other’s projects and know there had been a lot of effort put into them. Being able to speak to members of the industry was so helpful because I was able get valuable feedback and advice from lighting design experts.

I don’t think I have ever been anywhere fancier! The atmosphere was amazing, and the food was so good! Everyone attending was so interested in what the four projects were which made us feel really integrated into the event.

Sitting with the other finalists for the different awards, learning what everyone had achieved to get there really allowed me to recognise how much everyone deserved it.

How did you find Networking & Industry Engagement?

Networking with professionals at the event was really valuable it gave me the opportunity to listen to other people’s experiences of working in the design industry and to understand the different directions it can take you.

One short conversation I had was in the pub impacted me because someone asked if I had a prototype. It caught me off guard, one because I was nowhere near a prototype, and two because they were showing genuine interest. It made me realise that every project or ideas developed at university can create meaningful impact beyond an academic setting.

Do you have any Key Takeaways?

The experience actually brought an industry that I otherwise wouldn’t have thought about to the front of my mind. Lighting is something I never had never explored before, but this gave me the chance to see design from a different point of view.

What are your future Career Aspirations?

Since the event, I’ve become more interested in the lighting industry, particularly in joining a team or company that approaches lighting in a different, more innovative way. From speaking with industry professionals about my project, I got the impression that creative and unconventional approaches to lighting haven’t been widely developed yet. I’d love to keep exploring that area further.

I am definitely interested in engaging more with The LIA, who knows what could happen!

Do you have any Final Thoughts?

My advice for the live projects would be to pick something you haven’t tried before. Even if it is challenging, you’ll still end up with a unique portfolio piece. Try looking for inspiration in unexpected places, that’s often where the most exciting and innovative ideas come from.